Cato Parasitti - TCW [SOTDS] - Basic (CW37)

Cato Parasitti helps Cad Bane steal a Jedi holocron. The Clawdite changeling can alter her appearance to look just like someone else. She enters the Jedi Temple by changing into the Jedi Master Ord Enisence. Then she shapeshifts into Jocasta Nu, the director of the library, and helps Bane sneak inside the temple.

Her task was simple in the opening episode of Season 2 of The Clone Wars, but she immediately struck a chord with Star Wars fans due to the correlation we make to the other Clawdite, Zam Wesell, we saw in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. Instead of maintaining form as a beautiful woman however, Cato Parasitti favors to remain in her original state except for when she is disguising herself as various others including Jocasta Nu. (Come on Hasbro. Here is another reason to make Jocasta Nu!) The street term for Cato Parasitti’s species is “changeling” and we tend to prefer that designation. It’s easy, simple and very accurate. Hasbro’s interpretation of this character exceeds expectations in every way and we are really beginning to believe that all divisions of the toy company have their efforts focused on this line of action figures. And with action figures done this well, it makes us slightly blue that these aren’t realistic versions of these characters because many of them likely won’t be attempted again even if Hasbro decides to start making realistic versions. Cato Parasitti is another brilliant work of art and Hasbro has pushed the envelope a little bit further by including an exquisite paint job with a ton of insignias and symbols that add elements not really seen on too many other action figures in the animated line.

Cato Parasitti is super-articulated. In particular, the feet may just have the most impressive construction yet and the aesthetics are even more exciting. There is armor that lies over her shins and “floats” over her feet where hidden ball-jointed ankles can be found if you look hard enough for them. As you move up the action figure you’ll find plenty of other premium articulation. These include ball-jointed knees (also well hidden), ball-jointed shoulders, ball-jointed elbows and a ball-jointed head. Her uniform in painted in sterling silver and a faded yellow with a lot of brown leather details. You’ll need to spend a few minutes to gleam over all of the symbols (including Aurebesh) and geometric shapes that have been painted on her space suit. Hasbro went all out here and we’re actually quite amazed that they expended so much time and energy to get all of these fine details in place. We are certainly thankful for them and couldn’t be happier that they are there, but it seems like this was no easy task for them (or the manufacturer). Her helmet flips up from her head and it seems to function as some sort of fancy space goggles for her. The lenses are a deep purple and have a texture very similar to the eyes of 4-LOM (you know – that distinct bug-eyed pattern).

But probably the most amazing part on her is her portrait. Hasbro has outdone themselves with flawless execution of her Clawdite features. Her green skin is enhanced with a subtle dark wash that incredibly only collects in the crevices of her skin (where natural shadowing would occur). It’s impressive to say the very least. Her eyes have multiple colors. From her cat-eye pupils to her orange and yellow double irises, Cato Parasitti just looks brilliant. While it’s hard to make a claim that she is attractive, she certainly has curves in all the right places to distinguish her as a humanoid female. But Cato Parasitti is beautiful in other ways. And by that we mean she’s a beautifully created action figure. It will be interesting to see if Filoni sees more opportunity for this species in The Clone Wars line. The Clawdites seem to be the only Star Wars characters that can truly disguise themselves that would fool the viewing audience. (Darth Sidious certainly disguises his true identity but we all know it’s him.) We like this species very much (and even loved Zam Wesell in Episode II) and we think that they could add some great excitement into the Star Wars universe. Be sure to enjoy Cato Parasitti now. The other Clawdite, now 2011's TVC Zam Wesell (VC30) figure, entered The Vintage Collection to thunderous applause. Cato Parasitti proves that Hasbro can knock out some amazing accomplisments in a kid-focused line in addition to the collector-focused line.